Bird Feeding FAQs: Of Hummingbirds and Hot Pepper

By Jay Cooney

A Black-chinned Hummingbird and Abert’s squirrel. Photos by the author.

When you watch the whirring motion of a hummingbird at your feeder, you are witnessing extremes of animal physiology. These tiny powerhouses move their wings at a speed of 70 times per second, eat over two times their weight each day, and breathe at a rate of 250 breaths per minute (20 times faster than human breathing). The opportunity to focus our attention on a wild animal, and to imagine what it would be like to inhabit such a radically different inner world, is one of the most profound gifts of bird feeding. Yet when we observe wild nature, we often face puzzles that defy our expectations. At the Santa Fe Wild Birds Unlimited shop, we have been hearing recurring questions from patrons’ recent experiences that warrant exploring.

Santa Fe is a summer hotspot for hummingbirds. This particular summer, many patrons at the Wild Birds Unlimited of Santa Fe shop are reporting fewer hummingbirds than they are used to seeing around their feeders. While North America’s bird populations are undergoing broad declines, notably by 2.9 billion breeding adults since 1970, the impression of hummingbird scarcity in backyards likely reflects other local factors. As a 2011 Cornell Lab of Ornithology article discusses, an abundance of native wildflowers can cause hummingbirds to visit backyard feeders less frequently, opting for natural food sources instead. Hummingbird activity also tends to slow down during the mid-summer nesting period, before picking up again in late July. eBird data does not show any marked decline in Santa Fe’s hummingbird numbers so far this year. Still, you can continue to support hummingbirds in your backyard by routinely changing out nectar to prevent deadly fermentation, especially in hot summer temperatures.

Another recurring question this summer concerns hot pepper seed blends, which are an effective solution for deterring squirrels, mice, and raccoons from backyard feeders thanks to a subtle difference in mammal and avian physiology. While mammals feel the heat, birds lack the taste receptor that senses capsaicin, allowing them to enjoy seeds baked in chili pepper oil without experiencing a burning sensation. Recently, several patrons have reported seeing squirrels seemingly unbothered by hot pepper blends. Rather than reflecting a New Mexican affinity for spice, these squirrels are likely still in the process of learning that hot pepper seed carries unpleasant effects. Squirrels often need repeat exposure to capsaicin before they realize the seed is not worth eating, so it may take four to six weeks before they leave your feeders alone. A large pinon crop this year also means that there are more squirrels around willing to try the seed, so you may find other solutions by offering hard-shelled safflower or placing your feeder within a cage.

Bird feeding is a practice in patience, often requiring trial-and-error experimentation to determine what food and feeder options are best for your backyard. It can take four to six weeks for birds to adjust to new food, and providing a greater variety of food only leads to a higher chance that a greater variety of birds will visit, not a guarantee. Still, it is the opportunity to engage in close observation of our wild neighbors that makes the challenge of bird feeding so rewarding.

Jay Cooney is a Naturalist at Wild Birds Unlimited of Santa Fe